Hi Rachel,
I refrained from commenting on your initial image. I personally think it is very good, something you should try again. I would of course want to crop it around, probably wrecking it in the process, but until you try, you don't know (well that's OK with editing images, maybe not Ok if you want to play hopscotch in the middle of the freeway).
This second one, the colours look grey, for me. Other than looking grey, there is nothing outstanding at all, unless you used it to create something else. A black background, - remove that. Think of some folds of red velvet - you know the stuff that <chaz> didn't use on his bits of tin - or maybe a piece of polished walnut with the corner of a brass plaque, or just dropped on the floor, next to a puddle by the sidewalk - look how I'm using your American terms, even, trying to encourage you, showing I'm on 'your side' in trying to get the best you possibly can from something, instead of the spraying and praying - or just the spraying. So now take some backgrounds, google around for optical illusions re why it looks grey, and get all you can from it.
I am concentrating on your statement re separating good from mediocre. This can be good, if _you_ want to make it so. As it is, it is like most of the images we see here, mediocre.
Did you think it was good? why? what is bad about it? what are you comparing it with. Can you see? can you get a 'book of flowers', or other images on the web, and see where yours is different. Is the difference good, or bad -in your opinion- not mine - . Does your opinion generally line up with your audience., etc. is it good you think it's good, would a florist or a caterpillar think differently.....
First, you have to see, then see through other's eyes, they see if it matters at all.
Best wishes,
Ray